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Luke Massey's Image
Following a local guide, Luke climbed tiny staircases and bamboo ladders to reach this rooftop. It’s in the Muslim quarter, where people toss meat to the kites to atone for their sins. ‘The sky was black with kites,’ he says, and with about 20 vying for every offering, it took hundreds of attempts to get a clear shot.
Delhi’s whirls of black kites are probably the world’s highest concentration of birds of prey. They have an important role to play, clearing up carrion and hunting rodents. But human-made kites – paper ones – pose a threat, their strings crisscross the skies at dusk and can sever the bird’s wings.
Behind the lens
Luke Massey
UK
Luke is a wildlife photographer and cameraman, and has been obsessed with wildlife for as long as he can remember. After a year at university, he decided to take the risk of dropping out to follow his dream of becoming a professional. His passion is in conservation and showing how people can live alongside wildlife, educating people on conservation issues and raising awareness.
Image details
- Canon EOS-1D X
- 17-40mm f4 lens at 40mm
- 1/2500 at f7.1 • ISO 1600 • PocketWizard PlusX remote release
- Old Delhi, India
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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